Politicization of Lawlessness

The Writer

It is only in Ghana where post-election violence is perpetrated and decorated in partisan colors. Frustrated opportunists of winning parties and intoxicated mercenaries of losing parties often engage in battles over the "ownership" of public toilets, tollbooths, and selected state organizations. These hoodlums also visit mayhem on political opponents with impunity.

It is disheartening that after more than two decades of democratic dispensation, the evil culture of lawlessness in the name of partisan loyalty still exists. Perhaps, the unfortunate trend is partly due to the seeming partisan politcs in the Ghana Police Service itself, which is responsible for maintaining law and order.

I was amazed when I watched a group of police officers in uniform dancing to an anti-Mahama song minutes after the declaration of the recently held presidential election. Personnel of the same Ghana Police Service had sat aloof when ranting imbeciles of NDC attacked the residence of the then NPP Presidential Candidate and now President-elect. I am not questioning the constitutional basis of the political loyalty of police personnel. I am expressing concern about the open politicking in the security agency.

I appreciate the voices of President John Dramani Mahama and of President-elect Nana Addo Dankwa Akofu-Addo in condemning the looting and burning after the December 7 general elections. However, it is my contention that the wave of violence and the avalanche of condemnations the violence attracted could have been avoided. In fact, if the Ghana Police had been proactive, ethical, and non-partisan, the violence should not have attracted the attention of the two great leaders at all.

I call on the Inspector-General of Police to act decisively. Let the Number One Constable ensure that the men and women under his command do not allow partisanship to water down his efforts at crime combat. Ghanaians deserve state policing rather than regime policing. In this regard, the perpetrators of the post-election violence should be arrested, arraigned, tried, and punished if found guilty.

Their partisan loyalty should not serve as defense counsel for them. Their partisan loyalty cannot make them supreme. Their partisan loyalty cannot constitute impunity. Their partisan loyalty cannot constitute a violation of the democratic rights of others. Their partisan loyalty should subbirdinate to the rule of law which is the cornerstone of democracy.

Conclusively, It is important for all of us to understand that the change of regime by the ballot cannot be a coup d' etat. Also, ours is constitutional order not a military junta. Let us accept to live in a state of national unity in partisan diversity. Let us refrain from the politicization of lawlessness.

Abubakar Mohammed Marzuq Azindoo
Lecturer, University of Applied Management, Germany - Ghana Campus, McCarthy Hill, Accra.